Recently, Hidden Harmonies has been plagued by trolls impersonating other readers. For example, a “Raj” has been impersonating a “Cathy Graham,” a “denk,” a “Schmidt,” a “Wayne.” Trolls like that use a VPN service to grab new IP addresses for each new comment. This way, IP bans are ineffective. Moving forward, we are requiring all readers to first log in before commenting is allowed. This way, we can revoke a troll’s account, making their spams much more difficult to get through.
At this point we would like to remind our readers this blog’s Terms of Service. To date, we have resorted to an open commenting policy. While the editors and authors here may reply to certain comments, but as we all do in forums like this, entertaining a particular point in a comment simply means one finding that point worthwhile engaging in. It says nothing about whether other points within the same comment is condoned, agreed with, or disagreed with. We all run busy lives, and that’s the nature of these anonymous Internet forums.
[Update 1]
User registrations are done directly with this blog. Hidden Harmonies is not using a third-party discussion forum, nor is it relying on WoredPress.com’s “global registration” process to work across multiple blogs. Your registration is strictly with this blog, and our policy is to keep personal information confidential.
Robert Thomas says
I hope that the measures you have implemented will be effective.
lolz says
This will not stop the anti-China trolls from creating multiple sock puppets but at least they can’t impersonate.
pug_ster says
Surprising nobody impersonated me:)
Robert Thomas says
@lolz
One would assume that a troll targeting this site would be anti-HH. Does that, by extension, definately make them anti-China?
lolz says
Nice attempt at obfuscation. I don’t recall anywhere that I think the trolls are anti-China because they are anti-HH. I think the trolls are anti-China, but not necessarily anti-HH. If they are anti-HH why would they keep on coming and posting here?
Robert Thomas says
@lolz
Perhaps I misunderstood your original post. Perhaps you have misunderstood mine.
YinYang mentions ‘trolls.’ We can’t say for definite what a users aims are. Therefore I don’t think we can label users as anti-China or anti-HH. I take back my assumption made in post 4 (‘One would assume that a troll targeting this site would be anti-HH’). I think it best to simply refer to trolls.
Sigmar says
@Robert Thomas
“@lolz
Perhaps I misunderstood your original post. Perhaps you have misunderstood mine.”
Then you first have to be clear on your understanding. You are not even sure whether you understand or don’t understand. “Perhaps” does not inspire confidence. Work on your comprehension skills before attempting to contribute further. lolz has not shown any indication of misunderstanding your post; on this count you are merely assuming hence your use of the word “perhaps”.
“YinYang mentions ‘trolls.’ We can’t say for definite what a users aims are.”
We can, through what users say or do.
“Therefore I don’t think we can label users as anti-China or anti-HH.”
We can, through what users say or do.
“I take back my assumption made in post 4 (‘One would assume that a troll targeting this site would be anti-HH’).”
Feel free to do so, but remember it’s your OWN assumption.
“I think it best to simply refer to trolls.”
If you accept that trolls exist, then it is possible to hunt down users whose aim is to troll, through observing what they say or do, and determining whether their actions fit the definition of trolling.